Whoa. There’s definitely something to be said for picking a theme and going all the way with it. Whoever built this house was obviously very serious about getting the Moroccan feel. From the listing:
Custom built Moroccan style home… mosaic tiles crafted & imported from Morocco.
The architecture, the walls, the ceilings, the floor coverings, the furniture… All on-theme.
Wait a minute… Are those Moroccan parakeets chilling in that birdcage in the afternoon shade?
Well done.
If you’re going to do it, do it right. This is right. I’ve seen the outside before, in passing, when I’ve gone to visit my in-laws in the area. There’s a surprisingly large Middle-Eastern population in Houston, so it wouldn’t surprise me if some rich sheik’s son built this as an American holiday getaway home. Either that, or someone *REALLY* loves their Moroccan!
I agree, it’s pretty cool!
The public rooms are astonishingly – and effectively – ornate. Bravo! Apart from that, though, this is far from the best example of Islamic architecture I’ve seen. For example, there are some quite inelegant rhythms to the door and window sequences, both interior and exterior. Quality in these design features is something for which the best Islamic architecture is noted. Also, the volume development in the private rooms is absolutely lackluster when compared to the public areas. They wouldn’t need the same level of decoration, but for continuity’s sake the same level of spacial complexity should have at least been attempted.
The central courtyard, while a luxury seldom seen in the U.S., is not what it could be. Although the facades are much better, and the complexity fo the roof-line ornamentation is eye-catching, I would love to see even a subtle pattern worked into the paving. Perhaps its expanse of plain beige isn’t as noticeable in person, though. But again, when compared to the public interiors, this space loses in the “oomph” department. Personally, I like the courtyard (given an added paving pattern). It’s just that the disparate levels of color and pattern are jarring.
The exterior landscaping needs help. Apart from the lovely fountain and stylistically appropriate, though visually heavy, gazebos, it has a serious case of the blahs. The very word “paradise” is of Persian origin and refers to gardens, which are always included in fine Islamic architecture as a reflection of what will be found in the afterlife by those virtuous enough to reach it. A fine home without a fine garden isn’t a fine home.
Now, see what too much education can do to you? You learn all this stuff, see all these pictures of the absolute best of every genre, and then are confronted by imitations that, while wonderful compared to most of what passes for architecture these days, simply do not pass muster when compared to the best history has to offer. I really, really wanted this whole place to measure up to its public rooms. It’s a damn shame it doesn’t… for stoopy over-educated me…..
Denita, K, I’m really glad you both like this. It’s nice that it adds pleasure to the lives of most folks coming across it. If all I’d seen was the public rooms, I’d be sooo with you! Sigh.
So… like… am I the only person who simply wanted to skate in and out of those pillars and around and around those rooms on frictionless poofy-polish-mop feet singing “Wheee! Wheee!’ until I dropped into a soft pile of cushions, took a nap, and could do it all again?
@anodean: Weeell… now that you mention it… yeah, I could go for that. Just close all the doors to the “back” part of the house, don’t think about the exterior, and let’s Wheee! till the cows come home. Or camels. Whatever. :P
Two master bedrooms? His and hers?
@Frodo: I hadn’t mentioned it before, but I did wonder if the owners were so in love with the historic architecture if other historic aspects of the culture appealed as well, like having a separate hareem…
@Emerald63: I wondered about the harem thing. The sheiks that I have known with multiple wives have been smart enough to put them up in their own separate manses. Multiple wives under the same roof in Texas might indicate one of those Mormon offshoot sects.
This might sound silly, but I lived across the road and that thing. It is so ugly and out of place we would throw mud and sticks into their yard as kids. They guy who built it never even moved in
@Anon: Proving yet again that truth is at least as strange as any fiction. Welcome, Anon – and thank you! :)